Somaliland: AU Pledges more Resources in Efforts to Secure Peace in Somalia

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As Heads of States and Government leaders of countries belonging to the African Union Mission in Somalia meet at a Djibouti hosted summit to revitalise security efforts in Somalia

African heads of Governments supplying troops to AMISOM with Somalia president Among them/file photo

Somalilandsun: Heads of States and Government leaders of countries belonging to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) met in Djibouti on 28 February 2016. The meeting, chaired by His Excellency Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti, covered the political and security situation in Somalia and plans to revitalise security efforts in the country.

The focus of the Summit was to adopt proposals to revamp military efforts in Somalia to combat Al Shabaab and strengthen the Somali National Security Forces (SNSF). The Summit leaders pledged more military equipment and forces, better mechanisms for the coordination of operations between troops and the provision of technical know-how to improve operations and consolidate security gains across Somalia.

Djibouti has played a pivotal role in securing peace in the Horn of Africa and is one of the main contributors of troops to AMISOM. It is fully committed to working with Somalia’s Federal Government, the African Union, the EU and international partners to achieve this goal. After continued efforts in Somalia over two decades, there is now a legitimate government and terrorism activity has reduced. However, much more needs to be done with the backing of the international community to combat terrorism, to support the reconciliation process and promote peace and a stable economy in Somalia.

The Summit leaders commended the sacrifices made by AMISOM and SNSF personnel in the fight against Al Shaabab and expressed appreciation to the AU Commission and international partners providing financial, material and technical assistance to promote peace and security.

They also praised the Federal Government of Somalia for its commitment to an inclusive electoral process during 2016, engagement with the Puntland and for its work in stabilising liberated areas of Somalia, improving local governance and rejuvenating local economies.

AMISOM to be revitilizedThey strongly condemned the recent attacks by Al Shaabab in Mogadishu, Leggo, Janaale, and El Addem and called on the international community to intensify efforts in support of AMISOM and the SNSF to extinguish the threat posed by this terrorist group and to deter foreign recruits from joining it.

The Summit was attended by His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. His Excellency Alain Aime Nyamitwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and His Excellency Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye Minister of National Defence represented the Republic of Burundi; His Excellency Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali, Minister of Defence represented the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and His Excellency (Hon) General Jeje Odongo, Minister of State for Defence and His Excellency (Hon) Philmon Mateke Minister of State for Regional Cooperation represented the Republic of Uganda. His Excellency, Ambassador Smail Chergui, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security and His Excellency, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCC) and Head of AMISOM, represented the AU Commission.

Ends

AMISOM was created on 19 January 2007 by the African Union’s Peace and Security Council is a regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations.

The AMISOM countries contributing troops are Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Ethiopia.

Press release issued on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Djibouti

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